24 BULLETIX 1^46, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGKlCrLTURE 
ARIZONA 
In 1923 antelope in Arizona were restricted to bands occurring in IS areas 
and totaled about 650 animals. A more intensive investigation might slightly 
increase this number. Formerly they existed in great numbers in this State, 
where the range and climatic conditions were peculiarly favorable to them. 
In the eastern part of the State from 1S84 to 1SS9 they were very numerous 
both on the grassy plains and in the parklike openings among the scattered 
cedar, juniper, and pinyon forests covering vast areas of that great plateau 
region. In summer they ranged also among the yellow-pine forests on the 
Mogollon Plateau, but the heavy snows on these higher elevations forced them 
into the lower country in winter. As elsewhere at that period, there was no 
appreciation among sportsmen and the general public of the need of any re- 
straint in killing game, and both antelope and other kinds of big game were 
killed freely throughout the year. With the increasing occupation of the 
ranges the antelope have steadily decreased and now are extinct over great 
areas where they once abounded. 
The information concerning the number of antelope now in Arizona has 
come mainly from M. E. Musgrave, in charge of the predatory-animal work, 
and D. A. Gilchrist, of the rodent-control work, both of the Biological Survey. 
Their personal familiarity with all jDarts of the State has enabled them to make 
an excellent preliminary survey of the situation. On December 15, 1023, Mr. 
Musgrave wrote : 
" We have collected fairly accurate data on the antelope of this State and I 
have found that the number of young this year ranges from 10 to 25 per cent of 
the total number of animals a year or more old. The heaviest i)ercentages of 
young are on the ranges In the vicinity of Valentine, north of Seligman. It 
is believed that there were 25 per cent of young born in the Sitgreaves Na- 
tional Forest and only about 10 i)er cent on the Prescott National Forest and 
adjacent to it. The small band located in the San Fernando Valley, south of 
Tucson, had an increase of about 20 per cent. The total increase for the State 
for the present year should be about 15 per cent. 
" The antelope that live on the Anderson Mesa have been materially reduced 
in number. Last year they numbered more than 100 head, but now only 25 
survivors are reported. I am inclined to believe that the antelope in Arizona 
are increasing regardless of the rapid depletion of the herds on the Anderson 
Mesa, south of Flagstaff, and along the Verde rim. Antelope appear to be 
increasing on cattle ranges in the State and decreasing on sheep ranges." 
The distribution of antelope in Arizona is approximately as follows (fig. 3) : ' 
1. About 12 antelope are reported as ranging in Antelope Valley, between 
Hurricane Ledge and Kanab Creek, north of the Grand Canyon, in Mohave 
County. 
2. In 1923, according to residents of Grand Canyon and railroad men em- 
ployed on trains between Williams and Grand Canyon station, in Coconino 
County, about a dozen antelope still occurred in the vicinity of Anita, or be- 
tween Anita and Cataract Canyon. They are seen occasionally from the trains. 
3. About 50 in small scatiered bands occur in open parks in the yellow-pine 
forest north of Flagstaff, in Coconino County. 
4. Supervisor Miller, of the Coconino National Forest, reported in 1923 that 
the anteloi^e ranging on Anderson Mesa, southeast of Flagstaff, in Coconino 
County, in 1913 numbered about 200. but that in 1922 they had become reduced 
to about 100, and in 1923 to about 25. This decrease indicates the danger of 
extermination confronting this herd. 
8 The paragraph numbers in this and other States and Provinces correspond to fbo 
nnmliered areas shown on the respective distribution maps, the nunilier of the area being 
The figure outside the circle, the number of anteloix; in each area being cxpret^sed by the 
ligure w itliin tlie circle. 
